The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday adopted with an overwhelming majority a non-binding resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Russian military amid international outcry against Moscow's move.
During an emergency special session, the resolution was backed by 141 members and opposed by five members including Russia and North Korea, with 35 abstentions.
Massive support for the resolution underscored Moscow's isolated position in the international community over its aggression against a neighboring country.
The United States, Japan and 94 other countries jointly proposed the resolution.
The other three countries voting against the resolution were Belarus, Eritrea and Syria. Among the 35 countries skipping the vote were China and India.
Condemning Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, the resolution expressed "grave concern at reports of attacks on civilian facilities such as residences, schools and hospitals, and of civilian casualties, including women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and children" in the East European country.
Ignoring international calls for de-escalation, Russian forces launched a major attack on Ukraine last week, with Russian President Vladimir Putin later placing the country's nuclear forces on high alert in the face of continuing resistance from Ukraine's troops and economic sanctions from the United States and its allies.
While condemning Moscow's decision to increase the readiness of its nuclear forces, the resolution demands Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders."
The document also "deplores the involvement of Belarus in this unlawful use of force against Ukraine, and calls upon it to abide by its international obligations."
Following the voting, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, "The message of the General Assembly is loud and clear: End hostilities in Ukraine -- now. Silence the guns -- now. Open the door to dialogue and diplomacy --now."
"I will continue to do everything in my power to contribute to an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent negotiations for peace," the U.N. chief added.
The emergency General Assembly session started on Monday with representatives from many member states delivering speeches denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ahead of the gathering, a similar resolution failed to pass in a U.N. Security Council vote as it was vetoed by Russia. India, which forms a group of four democratic countries with the United States, Japan and Australia dubbed the Quad, abstained from the council vote along with China and the United Arab Emirates.
The special emergency session of the General Assembly was convened at the request of the Security Council, becoming the first such case since 1982.
